Hemalatha keen to make most of comeback

Chennai: After almost two years, Tamil Nadu allrounder D Hemalatha will be seen in national colours when the Indian women’s team takes on Bangladesh in the five-match T20I series starting on Sunday in Sylhet. Hemalatha, who last featured in the T20I against England in September 2022, had found the silken touch once again during her Gujarat Giants stint at the Women’s Premier League. In eight matches this season, she scored 115 runs at a strike rate of 129.21.Speaking to TOI on Saturday, Hemalatha said the 19-month hiatus from international cricket had been a tough phase for her. And to make a comeback has been on her mind ever since then. “Being dropped from the national side would be a big blow for anyone. I have been working but was still dropped, so that means I was lacking somewhere. I focused and analysed my performance and felt I could do much better. I observed a few things that I had to change and when I did (change), it kind of worked for me. And, I have been working very hard to get back into this team again. I did not take any match lightly, even at the domestic level I was just giving my best,” said Hemalatha.Hemalatha said she has been diligently practising her range hitting and has now become more versatile. “Before I used to be an opener, I would take my innings slow, but now, I have improved my power hitting. And now, I have adapted myself to play at any given batting order. At Indian Railways, I used to bat fourth or fifth down. At GG (Gujarat), I played in the top and down the order as well. So, I’m ready to bat wherever the Indian team needs me to,” said Hemalatha, who has also been working on bowling spin.Hemalatha, who made her international debut back in 2018, said the current Indian side has a ‘much better environment’. Hemalatha was left in awe after the ‘warm welcome’ she received in the dressing room from the Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates. “I’m grateful to be a part of this team. I didn’t expect any of this. Harman and others gave me a warm welcome; they took me in like I was a part of their family. I’m seeing a much better environment in the Indian side. Earlier, I would be in my shell, I wouldn’t open up. But, this time, they approached and spoke to me. Especially Harman, she has been chatting with me and giving me inputs and suggestions,” she said.As of now, Hemalatha’s only aim is to play an important role for the team both with bat and ball. “It’s (Bangladesh tour) very crucial for me. Coming back to the Indian side, I just want to contribute to the team in some way. If I get a chance to play, I will give my 100 per cent and do whatever the team requires.”